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A review by dans_bookscape
The Confession by Chad Miller
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Confession starts with a brutal double murder of the Strohmeyer's and a suggestion that the culprit was from within the house. We then flashback to the childhood of Isabella and move forward building tensely towards the killings.
The life of the Isabella is a rough one, with an outwardly uncaring father, a questionable step-mother Rebecca and a barely seen brother to deal with. Her comfort comes from two caring Maggie’s, one that helps navigate her through childhood at least until Rebecca arrives and the other that becomes a friend and more, if the rumours are to be believed.
The story of the lead up to the murders is broken up with the investigation into the deaths, with most of the local police wanting it clear quickly whilst others, including some familiar names want to know what really happened.
The characters in The Confession are brilliantly written, as a reader you can feel the tenseness of the Strohmeyer household. You can feel the frustration and later hopelessness that Isabella feels.
As mentioned the story is about a brutal double murder meaning there are plenty of suspects offered up for various reasons, the two victims have enemies inside and outside the house due to their nature and actions.
Upon finishing the book and reading the last Confession, things that were previously unexplained but not key to the plot and therefore ignored appear completely different. It’s something that bugs you but you don’t know why until you already know the answer...it’s a really good bit of storytelling to offer clues but them not to be fully comprehended until the full story is presented.
Thank you very much to Chad for the advanced copy, it was a great read and I'm looking forward to the follow up.
The life of the Isabella is a rough one, with an outwardly uncaring father, a questionable step-mother Rebecca and a barely seen brother to deal with. Her comfort comes from two caring Maggie’s, one that helps navigate her through childhood at least until Rebecca arrives and the other that becomes a friend and more, if the rumours are to be believed.
The story of the lead up to the murders is broken up with the investigation into the deaths, with most of the local police wanting it clear quickly whilst others, including some familiar names want to know what really happened.
The characters in The Confession are brilliantly written, as a reader you can feel the tenseness of the Strohmeyer household. You can feel the frustration and later hopelessness that Isabella feels.
As mentioned the story is about a brutal double murder meaning there are plenty of suspects offered up for various reasons, the two victims have enemies inside and outside the house due to their nature and actions.
Upon finishing the book and reading the last Confession, things that were previously unexplained but not key to the plot and therefore ignored appear completely different. It’s something that bugs you but you don’t know why until you already know the answer...it’s a really good bit of storytelling to offer clues but them not to be fully comprehended until the full story is presented.
Thank you very much to Chad for the advanced copy, it was a great read and I'm looking forward to the follow up.